SIUE Pharmacy Student 1 of 12 in U.S. to Receive Leadership Award

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy student Kimberlee Kabbes has been selected as one of only a few nationwide for her peer leadership and academic excellence.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the ASHP Research and Education Foundation have chosen Kabbes (Class of 2016) as one of 12 recipients across the U.S. for a 2013-2014 ASHP Student Leadership award. She received an ASHP drug information reference library and $2,000 in cash as a winner.

Kabbes, an Effingham native, is just beginning a one-year term of service as president of the School of Pharmacy’s local chapter of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy (SSHSP), which is affiliated with the national ASHP organization.

Kabbes earned a bachelor’s in kinesiology and health education from SIUE and a master’s in exercise physiology from the University of Kentucky. While at UK, she worked as a graduate assistant in the health and wellness program, and decided to pursue pharmacy.

While pursuing her Pharm.D., Kabbes works part-time as a pharmacy student in inpatient pharmacy at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, preparing medications in the IV room and delivering them as well.

“While my degree will be a Doctor of Pharmacy, I have a strong desire to pursue residency immediately after graduation with the goal of becoming a board-certified clinical pharmacist,” Kabbes said. “My dream job would be to work in a health system (hospital) environment with a focus on either cardiovascular medicine or oncology.”

“In all honesty, I didn’t expect to even come close to being selected as an award recipient,” said Kabbes, who is humbled by the award. “I thought applying would be a great learning experience. I’m grateful to School of Pharmacy Dean Gireesh Gupchup, Dr. Lisa Lubsch and Dr. Jingyang Fan for encouraging me to apply. I’m beyond honored.”

Lubsch is a clinical associate professor of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and nominated Kabbes for the award. Lubsch and Fan, also a clinical associate professor, are co-advisors to the SSHP chapter in SIUE’s School of Pharmacy.

“I chose to nominate Kimberlee out of nearly 300 students in our School because even though she is in year two of her four-year pharmacy curriculum, she has already accomplished so much during her career,” said Lubsch. “Kimberlee is actively involved in two leadership organizations on campus (SSHP and the American Pharmacists Association’s Academy of Student Pharmacists).

“She does a tremendous job of balancing this generous commitment of time and support with academic excellence and excelling in her part-time job in health system pharmacy. It’s rare to see someone who is so successful in all three of these areas.”

Lubsch, who served on the ASHP’s national award selection committee five years ago, said she became familiar with the rigorous application process as well as the caliber of candidates.

“Every year I consider which student has stood out the most from his or her peers and has done the most for our School,” Lubsch said. “Kimberlee is incredibly engaged in leadership for us and will continue as head of our ASHP student chapter during the next 12 months.

“The application process for this national award was extensive. We’re proud of Kimberlee. Once again, she is representing not only the SIUE School of Pharmacy, but also her peers and the profession as a whole.”

Fan agreed that the ASHP chose wisely in recognizing and rewarding Kabbes.

“We are the second-largest student organization in the School of Pharmacy,” said Fan. “Last year, we had nearly 100 members. Kimberlee has done a great job organizing the (annual) ASHP Clinical Skills competition practice in April. She was the one who encouraged students to sign up for the practice, and they benefitted greatly. I’m excited to see how well they will do this fall in the local competition.

“In addition, Kimberlee is a big advocate for SSHP. She has gotten many pharmacy students interested in running for SSHP office next year. I look forward to working more with Kimberlee as chapter president in the coming year.”